I left that particular news site by following an interesting link. When that new site loaded, I was a little startled to find that all of the banner ad windows were occupied by Golfsmith ads.

Indeed for the rest of the day, many of the web sites I visited were populated with Golfsmith. I was experiencing something called “re-targeted ads.”

Now that I think about it, I have been seeing a remarkable number of Overstock.com ads for men’s watches with black straps in windows ever since I visited that site a few weeks ago and browsed some men’s watches with black straps. I didn’t buy because (A) I realized that a new watch isn’t in the budget right now, and (B) I already own 14 watches.

Today the New York Times has a piece on this practice and the technology behind it. It’s headlined, “Retargeting Ads Follows Surfers to Other Sites.” An excerpt:

While the technique, which the ad industry calls personalized retargeting or remarketing, is not new, it is becoming more pervasive as companies like Google and Microsoft have entered the field. And retargeting has reached a level of precision that is leaving consumers with the palpable feeling that they are being watched as they roam the virtual aisles of online stores.

So is it possible to harness this technology with making prospective customers feel like you’re stalking them? John Batelle of Searchblog thinks so. Check out his article titled “How to Keep Re-Targeted Ads from Creeping People Out.” (via BusinessInsider.com)

As the author, Bob Walczak of Ringleader Digital points out, “No longer is mobile viewed as an experiment or a one off. Mobile is finally being approached strategically as part of a digital experience and brands and customers alike will benefit from consistent messaging and creative.”

As mobile’s role becomes clearer, it’s important to understand that, as Bob concludes, “The industry is no longer broken down into mobile and online – it is merely digital media with different access points offering a variety of unique experiences for a brand to connect with a consumer.”

Even online advertising  is an increasingly dicey proposition. Banner ads, pop ups and pop unders are all on the wrong end of the diminishing returns curve.

Practitioners of PR are still largely stuck in the old paradigm of “rent a list and bombard it with releases.” They have just moved from paper and faxes to emails. It’s still just “spray and pray.”

What holds the promise of real power and impact is authentic buzz and referrals emerging organically from social networks. The problem is that ham-handed attempts to co-opt these networks for marketing messages are scorned as spam or trolling.

I’m convinced there are some methods and strategies that can tap the power of social networks consistently and reliably. I plan to deploy some of these in these in the–admittedly selfish–cause of promoting my upcoming book. After all, the cook should be willing to eat his own recipes and you shouldn’t trust a doctor who doesn’t follow his own advice.

I’ll let you know how it goes. By the way . . . coming soon! You can pre-order your copy now at your favorite online bookseller.

…we love this ad.

Thank you

With all of the political blame throwing, mud slinging and finger pointing, it’s easy to forget about the thousands of folks in the armed forces who stay at their post, keeping watch…all for our benefit. To them a “thank you” hardly seems enough. Still, we sincerely hope and pray that all our serving men and women enjoy a safe, happy and memorable Memorial Day. We are thankful for their service and so very grateful for the sacrifice of those who have gone before us.

The wait is over.

On Memorial Day, the Cooking Channel launches and with it a whole rasher of fresh cooking talent debuts along with one of the most seasoned chefs of all time, Julia Child.

Isn’t she just great?

Her program, “Julia and Company” will air each day, bringing back memories of the queen of cooking for a new generation to steep in.

Another seasoned citizen of TV cooking will join Julia. TV’s classic “Galloping Gormet” with Graham Kerr will air daily as well.

I’m excited! The Cooking Channel promises to get back to cooking shows that really show you how to cook. I’m inspired! Maybe I’ll figure out how to get my radio cooking show launched. After all, I have a face for radio.

Bon Appetit!

What is noteworthy is that they used a famous Dutch building as the screen and that spectators did not need to wear any type of glasses to get the 3D effect.

I want to see this!

Me? I’m a New Balance man.

Mark Ramsey is a radio industry insider and forward thinker. Earlier this month, he made a presentation at the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters conference. It’s worth a few minutes of your time to hear a little of what he had to say:

You can subscribe to his “thoughts” here.

I came across this little video report that explores the digital radio engineer’s love of technology, while balanced with making it affordable for the Queen’s subjects all across the realm.

(WARNING: Heavy engineering vibe!)

Radio’s Digital Future : A visit to Kings Langley from Jonathan Marks on Vimeo.

By the way: I love it when radio guys produce video. Minimalist to be sure. And how about that giant microphone attached to the man’s shirt!